1. International Reseach Journal,November,2010 ISSN-0975-3486 RNI: RAJBIL 2009/300097 VOL-I *ISSUE 14
48 RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
Solid waste as a detrimental release of human
substanceisalsoharmfulforglobal,regionalorlocal
level in respect of environmental degradation and a
significant source of pollution that includes large
numbers of used materials ranging from small pins,
glassware’s, toys, plastic contains, rejected shoes,
polythene bags, waste papers, rejected garments,
tires-tubes,disposalpartsofindustrialproducts,and
most newly electronic wastes, which are dumped on
the land.
Objectives:
The main objectives of this study are as follows;
1. To find out the types and sources of solid waste
materialsinthisstudyarea.2.Torecognizetherecent
environmental specially health problems and would
be generated problems.3. To recommend the
suggestive measures to restrain the emerging solid
waste problems.
Methodology:
The present work is divided into three phases. First,
pre- field, which includes selection of study area,
identification of the spots for the case studies,
collection of the necessary maps & literature &
preparing suitable questionnaires. Second phase is
thefieldworkforthegenerationofprimarydatafrom
the field and secondary data for different published
booklets to represent the work collection of the
necessary photographs & as the third phase post
fieldrepresentationofinformationgatheredforfield,
from secondary data with the help of maps and
diagrams as well as elaboration of results through
Research Paper—Geography
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November, 2010
SOLIDWASTEPROFILE&MANAGEMENT:
AMICRO-STUDYOFBANDHGORA,BOLPUR-
SRINIKETANBLOCK,BIRBHUM,WEST
BENGAL,INDIA
*Tapas pal
this rim of industrialization, urbanization, populace exploitation, human-induced residuals or wastes
are being generated in their all stages of production and consumption of goods and services. Solid waste
is a human induced disturbance, creates ecological as well as socio-environmental imbalance which
is the base cause of pollution during this post-industrialization period. It has created a serious
environmental crisis threatening to the existing and future generation to sustain in this globe.This
paper encompasses on the sources of solid wastes related problems of Bandhgora area in Bolpur
municipality and tries to propose few sustainable strategies.
A B S T R A C T
Key words: industrialization, populace exploitation.
* Research Scholar, Dept of Geography, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan
interpretation.
About the study area: Bolpur is a municipality in
Birbhum District in the state of West Bengal, India.
Itis145 kmnorthofKolkataandisbestknownforthe
proximity to Visva- Bharati, the university set up by
RabindranathTagoretheNobellaureatepoet.Given
its proximity to Santiniketan and Sriniketan it is one
of the seats of Culture and education in West
Bengal.Bolpurislocatedat23°40’N87°43’E/23°67’N
87°72’E / 23.67; 87.72. Bandhgora is a village of
south-west side of Bolpur which consist nichu-
bandhgora,uchhubandhgora,sabujpalli,natunpukur,
silpapally,Hazrapara,Bagdipara.
SolidWasteSilhouette:RecentStance
People do not pay awareness while disposing the
garbage ashes and other solid waste materials on
openpublicspaceorinfrontorcorneroftheirhouses.
With the drastic evolution of population number,
their industrial activities ,household activities
generateobnoxiouscolour,cartonboxes,beverages,
metal, glass,plastic,mineralwaste, agriculturalwaste,
whichpollutestheland-water-andairandeventually
giverisetovariousdiseases.(SEETABLE-1)Onthe
other side, huge amount of waste materials are
generated from the houses of this area like damage
vegetables fruits, waste of fish, eggs, Pitch board-
ray machine, plastic, plastic can, glass bottle, expire
medicinewasteclothing,e-waste,paints,chemicals,
fluorescent,tubes,light,bulbs,fertilizerand pesticide
containers, spray can, batteries, shoe polish from
household area; those are more hazardous and

2. International Reseach Journal,November,2010 ISSN-0975-3486 RNI: RAJBIL 2009/300097 VOL-I *ISSUE 14
49RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
toxic.This study area comprises of main locality
having congested settlement blueprint. People of
this area suffer a lot by different types of wastes in
their daily speedy life. In this case study, most of the
households dispose their waste materials in their
house corner or nearer to the dustbin. When these
itemsaregatheredindisposalplacetheymakefireon
it.Henceitactsasthesourceofairpollutionorgreen-
house upshot in micro level. In silpa pally, Nichu
Bandhgora area, people partially use dustbin to
dispose their waste materials. On the lop side,
Sabujpally, Hazrapara, Bagdipara accumulate their
waste material nearer to the open land which is the
sources of solid waste problems. In respect of
knowledge bank and literacy state, the folks of
Bandhgoraareverypoor.Sothereuseorthescientific
use of materials they do not know properly.They are
not conscious about the daily solid materials also
they do not know that, after creation of these waste
items, how they will tackle it? So with the invention
of time, the burden of solid waste components is
being generated in their environment. The present
Municipality cooperation is not too modernized in
this area to remove this waste or in campaign
consciousness among population of this area.(SEE
LOCATIONALBLUEPRINTONLASTPAGE)
Risk associated with solid waste problem:
Ifwewouldliketoforecastthefutureproblemsofthis
arearelatingtosolidwastedisposal,atfirstweshould
know about the span of different disposal items that
means howlongthesecan spreadcontamination.(SEE
TABLE-2)If solid wastes are not managed properly
in this area, there are many negative impacts those
may result. The relative importance of each depends
very much on local conditions. Uncollected wastes
oftenendindrains,causingblockagewhichresultin
floodingandinsanitarycondition.Fliesbreedinsome
constituentsofsolidwastesandfliesareveryeffective
vectors that spread diseases. Mosquitoes breed in
blocked drains and in rain water that is retained in
discardedcanes,tyresandotherobjects.Mosquitoes
spread diseases, including malaria and dengue. Rats
find shelter and food in waste dumps. Rats consume
and spoil foods, spread disease, damage electrical
cables, and inflict unpleasant bites.
The open burning of waste causes air
pollution;theproductsofcombustionincludedioxins
whichareparticularlyhazardous.Aerosolsanddusts
can spread fungi and pathogens from uncollected
and decomposing wastes. Uncollected waste
degradestheurbanenvironment,discouragingefforts
tokeepstreetsandopenspaceinacleanandattractive
condition. Plastic bags are a particular aesthetic
nuisanceandtheycausethedeathofgrazinganimals
which eat them. Waste collection workers face
particularoccupationhazards,includingstrainsfrom
lifting, injuries from sharp objects and traffic
accidents. Dumps of waste and abandoned vehicles
blockstreetsandotheraccessways.Dangerousitems
(such as broken glass razors blades, hypodermic
needles and other healthcare waste aerosols cans
and potentially explosive containers and chemicals
from industries) make risks of injury or poisoning,
particularly to children and people who sort through
the waste. Heavy refuse collection trucks can cause
significant damage to the surfaces of roads that were
not designed for such weights. Waste items that are
recycled without being cleaned effectively or
sterilized can transmit infection to later users; for
example,bottlesandmedicalsupplies.Pollutedwater
(leached) flowing from waste dumps and disposal
sites can cause serious pollution of water supplies.
Chemicalwastes(especiallypersistentorganics)may
be fatal or have series effects if ingested, inhaled or
touchedandcancausewidespreadpollutionofwater
supplies. Large quantities of waste that have not
been placed according to good engineering practice
can slip and collapse, burying and killing people.
Waste that is treated of in unsatisfactory ways can
cause a severe aesthetic nuisance in terms of smell
and appearance. Liquids and fumes, escaping from
deposits of chemical wastes (perhaps formed as a
result of chemical reactions between components in
the wastes), can have fatal or other serious effects.
Landfillgas(whichisproducedbythedecomposition
ofwastes)canbeexplosiveifitisallowedtoaccumulate
in confined spaces. Methane (one of the main
components of landfill gas) is much more effective
than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, leading to
climate change. Fires on disposal sites can cause
major air pollution, causing illness and reducing
visibility, making disposal sites dangerously
unstable, causing explosion of canes and possibly
spreadingtoadjacentproperty.Formerdisposalsites
provide very poor foundation support for large
buildings,sobuildingsconstructionsonformersites
are prone to collapse. The solid waste is collected in
opendumpsnearallhousesinthisarea.Thesecauses
public health problem by serving or breeding place
for the carriers of diseases such as rat, mosquitoes,
flies, cockroaches etc which generate
disesstyphoid,cholera,dysentery,plague,tuberculosis,encephalitis,
typhus etc.Again on the lop side this dumps pollutes
the air, when they are burnt to reduce its volume.
When water run on these dump zone, it pollutes
water,percolatesdowntogroundwatertable&direct

3. International Reseach Journal,November,2010 ISSN-0975-3486 RNI: RAJBIL 2009/300097 VOL-I *ISSUE 14
50 RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
to the tank, so water become polluted.Aerobic & non-
aerobicreactionstakesplaceinsidethelandfillsandthis
generatesgasseslikemethane,H2S,CO2,&increases
the temperature of the inside of these land fill up to 65
degree temperature. From this zone toxic gases are
released into the atmosphere which causes of air and
water pollution. Again Burning rubbish processes or
incinerationreleasesharmfulgasessomeofwhichmay
contribute to global warming.(see table -3)
Suggestive measures in a scientific landscape
Pre-Measures:
To restrain the adverse consequence of solid waste
we should adopted some pre-measures under the
followingway-
Movetooldearthenfashion:Weshouldchangeour
perceptioninrespectofuseofgoodsandcommodity.
If we adopt the earthen (clay, sand, mud) material
basedutensilsinourkitchenlife;thenahugeamount
of solid waste can be removed. Today, the Kumor-
culturehasbeenlostfromearth’smodernizedhistory.
All the families are trying to adopt modernized
stainlesssteelorglassforbowl,dish,plates,cup,jug
etc; ultimately in this way these all items move to
wastematerials.Ifwelookatsome10yearsbackthen
we can find out that, all in ceremonies (marriage or
birth bay, cremation) people used the specific eco-
friendlyfood-dishlikeSalleavesmadedishandmud
madeglass.Buttodaywehavebeenlosingthisculture
.So for environment’s goodness, we have to change
ourplasticorstainlessorglassculturefromourdaily
life. In this way we can reduce the burden of solid
waste to some extent.
Changethebehavioralsite:Weshouldmaintainsome
eco-fruitful behavioral like; 1.When we have to be
moved in shopping center to purchase items then we
should use paper rather plastic bags. 2. In daily life,
the kitchen waste items like vegetables, fruits, rice
otherfooditemsshouldgivetolocalanimalsindaily
at specific location. Through this maintaining, we
can curtail the food waste and pollution from our
daily life.3. In respect of garments we would like to
stop the ‘one garment for one time’ concept and in
caseofricher,theoldoneshouldbedistributedamong
the poorer. In this way we can reuse the garments.
4. Pack your lunch in reusable bags rather foil pack
whenyouwilljourneyintrain.5.Purchasefruitsand
vegetables loose rather packed when these are
required.6.Procurerefillsmaterials.7.Utilizeshopping
bags and reject unnecessary carrier bags.8. Buy
recycled goods. 9. Obtain reusable nappies.10. Buy
softdrinksinlargebottles.11.Prefersturdyproducts
like rechargeable batteries.
WhataboutGovernment?
To tackle the recent solid waste challenge, our
democraticgovernmentshouldrealizetheroleithas
been playing. Because only with the changing of
human’s taste, perception, behavior and philosophy
wecannotfightagainstwasteitemsreductionandits
noxious gloom. Government should make a waste
free prescription and strictly that would be
implemented in all over India with special
parliamentary law; in which non eco-friendly solid
items should be banned totally as well as their
production. But, we are so unfortunate that our
administration cannot do it; because a huge amount
of revenue is collected with different solid items
production. We cannot reduce these items until the
Governmentwilltakeappropriateactioninthisregard.
ExamplescanbecitedfromGangtok(capitalofSikkim)
where use of plastic has been totally prohibited by
theirStateGovernment. Itismostlyworriedmatterthat,
Indian Government is failed to reduce the burden of
solidwastefromourcivilization.Forinstance;evenin
this 2010, plastic cup, foil packets, plastic made cold
drink, water bottles, chip packets are being used in
IndianRailways.Differentsoftdrinkscontainingplastic
bottles are being sold in whole India.
Change the philosophy about environment: Our
philosophy will be followed in environmental
conservation.Weshouldnotcreateanycircumstance
bywhichasocietywillfacesolidwasteproblem.So,
inconclusionwecanreducethesolidwasteproblem
through the maintaining under the following catchy
lines-‘Wearetheinventorratherdestroyer
Wearetheinnovatorratherpolluter
We can use resource rather abuse it
We can utilize solids rather waste it’
Post-Measures:
Properwastemanagementistheprimaryrequisiteto
preserve sanitation and health site of this area,
particularly for the area-dwellers. With an ever-
increasing magnitude of solid waste problem in and
aroundhumansettlementinthestudyarea,theproper
management should be done by following avenues.
Most sustainable clarification is to diminish the
amountofwastewhichwecreate.Comparedwith50
years ago, food canes are 50%lighter, yoghurt pots
are60%lighter,glassbottlesare50%lighter,plastic
carrier bag are half as thick. Buyers can help by
choosing ‘not to buy goods with packing or
disposablecontainers’,asthesewecurtail10-20%of
all domestic waste.Solid waste may be put to direct
or indirect use. Some examples are; 1.fly ash can
apply as cementing materials for made up of
bricks.2.electricity should be produced from waste

4. International Reseach Journal,November,2010 ISSN-0975-3486 RNI: RAJBIL 2009/300097 VOL-I *ISSUE 14
51RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
plasticbyplasmatechnology. Recyclingofoldwaste
to make new products. It cuts down the amount of
rubbishandkeepsnaturalrecoursesbydecliningthe
needfornewmaterial.Therearesomeothersporadic
vistas by which we- all the maintainer of our eco-
society can maintain the health environment. These
ares-1. Reuse wrapping paper, packing materials.
Table:1-Number of the sources of solid waste centers except household
sources of solid waste Numerical value Types of solid waste
of the centers
Rice mill 1 Rice dust
Chi rah mill 2 Fire wood, Kura ,agar
Bakery 2 Chat
Saw mill 3 Sawdust
Chanachur factory 1 Poisonous colour used in this area
Sweet shop 3 Whey
Grill and almery factory 11 Slag machineries
Flour and oil mill 3 Khai
Motorcycle garage 3 Burned-mobile. slag irons, used bits of cloths
Other vehicles repairing garage (bus, taxi. truck, etc. 2 Slag machineries
Grocery 14 Plastic, carton box ,tin, rejected jut bag
Photo study 2 Photo film, photo
Source: Field Survey, 2010
Table: 2 Long root of diverse waste materials
Waste items duration of life-expanse
Cotton rags 1-5months
Paper 2-5 months
Orange peel Upto6 months
Photo-film 20-30 years
Tin cans 50-100 years
Wool socks 1-5 years
Plastic-coated drinking cartons 5 years
Cigarettes ends 1-12 years
Lather shoes 25-50 years
Artificial fiber cloths like nylon 30-40 years
Sources: Whitakers-world of facts, 2007, Ash Russels.
2. Buy drinks in glass bottles-they can be reuse 20
times. If it is broken then please do not throw open
public places.3. Provide superfluous furniture to
furniturerecyclingcenters.4.Returnclotheshangers
todrycleaners.5.Composttheavailablefood,garden
waste, paper and vacuum cleaner dust.
6. Donate discarded garments to charity shops.
Source:FieldsurveybyAuthor,Oct.2010
Stills indicate: (1) well has been closed out by solid garbage by local people’s mismanagement of solid wastes at
Sriniketantan road of Bandhgora (2) Deposition of Solid Waste in high drain. (3) Pond is being lost its own identity
for solid waste deposition by local peoples at Sabujpalli. (4) Open air solid waste deposition ground along Bypass
roads of Bandhgora, locals animals are being affected through it. (5) Plastic cups are being deposited in front of Tea
stallassolidwaste.(6)BlackashfrombittenricemillsisdepositedalongBypassroad.(7)Lackofpropermunicipality’s
solid waste management and these are now being stored at unplanned dustbin parallel with drain and ultimately from
this dustbin dirt’s are moving towards the drain, which can block the same and create problematic condition in society
near Muslimpara. (8) People left soft drinking can in open Bypass road (9) Solid waste deposition ground near Sacred
Grove location in Bandhgora, hits that peoples are not conscious about waste items and its proper management, so;
sacred zone is also contamined from solid wastes problem.

5. International Reseach Journal,November,2010 ISSN-0975-3486 RNI: RAJBIL 2009/300097 VOL-I *ISSUE 14
52 RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
1. www.wasteonline.org.uk. 2. Ash Russell (2007) Whitaker’s world of facts,Penguine Books India, New Delhi, India. 3.
Santra S.N. (2004) Environmental science’, New central book agency (p)ltd.,Kolkata,India. 4. Singh Sabindre (2005)
Environmental geography’,Prayag Pustak Bhawan,Allahabad.India. 5. www.smartplanet.com 6. Monga,G.S. (2001)
‘Environmental development’ ‘Deep and Deep Publications Pvt.ltd,New Delhi. 7. Aggarwal S.K.and Dubey (2002)
‘Environmental controversies’ APH Publishing corporation, New Delhi.
R E F E R E N C E
Table:3 Upshot of solid waste pollution in Bandhgora case study area
Name of the diseases No. of affected Reasons
Asthma 10 Toxic gases releases from incineration
Vomiting 17 Bacterial infection
Gastroentitis 59 Polluted water ,viral infection
High fever 32 viral infection emerge from dumping ground
Respiratory tract infection 12 Toxic gases smoking dust releases from different industries
Dysentery 25 Bacteria virus infection
Loose motion 29 Bacteria. protozoa infection
Chest pain 4 Dust
Skin allergy 7 Sewage, garbage, grill factory(toxic co lour)
Abdomen pain 8 Poisons releases from open landfill area
Convulsion 4 Bacterial infection
Diarrhea 28 Polluted water
Source: Field survey, 2010.